Over 50 years of Raman spectroscopy
7 Mar 2025Raman spectroscopy, first discovered by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928, is a powerful analytical technique used to study molecular structures by analyzing light scattering. Initially, its adoption was limited due to weak signal detection and interference from fluorescence and stray light. Early Raman instruments relied on mercury arc lamps and photographic plates, requiring long exposure times. The introduction of lasers in the 1960s transformed the field, paving the way for the first commercial Raman spectrometers in 1966.
In this video, HORIBA celebrates being a leader in Raman spectroscopy innovation for over 50 years, driving advancements in precision and efficiency.
About the company
HORIBA Scientific
Optical spectroscopy has played a key role in the development of modern physics, from the early confirmation of quantum mechanics predictions of the spectrum of hydrogen to the observation of stars and interplanetary matter by astronomers refining their theory of the universe. Today, optical spectroscopy has become a routine method for the physicists and the astronomers, but also gained acceptance with chemists, biologists and metallurgists, amongst others.
At the heart of an optical spectroscopy apparatus, the single device most closely associated with spectroscopic performance is the diffraction grating. It is therefore no surprise to see that the study and manufacture of diffraction gratings remain the domain of excellence of HORIBA Jobin Yvon and a select few competitors worldwide.
With its R&D Centres located in Edison (New Jersey, USA) and in Longjumeau (France, in the heart of the French Optics Valley), HORIBA Jobin Yvon employs more than 70 Ph.Ds, an unequalled force focusing on the advancement of diffraction gratings and their applications to optical spectroscopy. HORIBA Jobin Yvon can call upon the Kyoto R&D Centres of its parent HORIBA, and in particular its "Optical Frontier" project studying nanosystems. Each year the HORIBA Jobin Yvon R&D teams are granted more than 10 patents worldwide.
